Nick Candela, a Project Management Professional (PMP), has joined Paragon Engineering Services, Inc., of Houston as manager of Project Controls, responsible for staffing project controls personnel on Paragon projects both in Houston and worldwide.
Candela’s immediate role involves enhancing Paragon’s project controls systems through the development of standards and procedures for planning, scheduling, cost control, progress measurement and change management. Candela also is developing corresponding training programs for project managers, lead engineers and project controls personnel in these essential functions.
Candela brings more than 20 years’ experience leading capital project teams in global environments. Prior to joining Paragon, Candela served as project manager for Technip USA and Dow Chemical Company, among others.
For Technip USA, Candela created and implemented project execution plans, subcontract schedules and procurement strategies. He led the detailed design, procurement and construction management effort for the major revamp of a fired heater to increase capacity and incorporate new technology. He also led the development of feasibility studies to evaluate cost effectiveness, installed cost, technological viability and other options.
As a project controls manager for Dow Chemical Company, Candela led the planning, scheduling and cost estimating efforts on capital projects. He developed global company standards and procedures for engineering scheduling, construction/start-up scheduling and physical progress measurement. In addition, he developed and facilitated training classes in scheduling and progress measurement.
Candela is certified by the Project Management Institute (PMI) as a Project Management Professional. PMP certification is the project management profession's most globally recognized and respected certification credential. To obtain this PMI certification an individual must satisfy education and experience requirements, agree to and adhere to a Code of Professional Conduct and pass the PMP Certification Examination.
Candela serves as vice president for PMI’s Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Specific Interest Group. He is designated as the technical focal point for professionals interested in joining the Houston chapter of PMI, the largest local chapter in the world.
He holds a bachelor’s of science degree in construction management from the University of Houston and a master’s degree in business administration, with emphasis in contract law, from the University of Wyoming at Laramie. Candela also is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineers (AACE).